Daily Wisdom

Mat 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

That’s it, the #11^th parable of Jesus, just two verses. But loaded with a challenging question for us, “Are we willing to lose all that we have to gain all that Christ has for us?”  Actually, two questions must be answered: First, is there something worth losing everything for? And then are we willing to lose everything to gain it?  But it’s not something, it’s Someone who is worth losing everything for. This question can almost appear as entrapment when we answer yes to losing everything for Jesus, and then consider if we are truly sold-out for Jesus! What is being sold-out in Christ Jesus? Are you giving Jesus everything, losing all things to Him: our mind, heart, lives, actions, relationships, and our will?  We can add money/finances, tomorrow, wishes and dreams? It’s literally like investing, you only gain a return on what you’re willing to invest. Remember, Jesus was and is all in on His side by way of the cross and losing His life for our gain; are we withholding on our investment? Let’s be honest, would you sale everything you had to purchase a lotto ticket that guaranteed a multi-million dollar return, enough said!

By losing everything to get Jesus, you lose nothing because Jesus is everything… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Gen 42:36 "... all these things are against me."

Jacob uttered these words thinking his sons Joseph, Simeon and Benjamin were dead.  Adam and Eve must have been as devastated when Cain murdered Abel (Gen 4:8). Yet when Eve had another son, Seth, and although the Savior was a long way off, we can still see a glimmer of hope here, for as Seth grew up, we read, “At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.” Likewise, Jacob found his sons, and came to realize that what he endured was for his good and the good of his family and the nation of Israel. Such stories echo the promise that God is continually renewing His children. Don't let a lack of faith, fear or seasons of discouragement hinder us from holding to our hope in God's faithfulness. If you got God, you got hope! (Jere 29:11)

"Hope itself is like a star - not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity." - Spurgeon

Daily Wisdom

Psa 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Rex and Jenny blessed me this morning with this picture they sent me as they were rejoicing in God’s creation. At the time I was outside early this morning myself rejoicing in the new day, without the same view! But I immediately noticed that not a leaf or blade of grass was moving and hardly a sound was heard. And I quickly realize that even God’s own creation knows what to do, and that maybe we can learn something ourselves with a little humility. And allow God to be God if we too would learn to be still in Him. One of the hardest things to do in life is to slow down in this extremely fast-paced culture.  One day we will be still as we stand before Him, reverently praising Him and His power and majesty. It would be good for our spirit to get a little practice in every now and then. We might be surprised what we will see and hear, not only form His creation but more important from His Spirit.

When you stop chasing the wrong things, you’ll be surprised how the right things catch up to you… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Mt 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

When a culture removes or negates a foundational source for strength, knowledge, and direction then weakness, ignorance, and confusion (1 Cor 14:33) prevail. And ultimately “man does that which was right in their own eyes.” (Jdg 21:25). Man does not need systems or institutions because such does not change a heart, they only offer to provide answers based on popular opinion or majority rule. The answer starts with The Book and a home. It is more important that we make head-way in our own house. By the time any systemic, institutional or cultural problems come into play the damage is done, our culture isn’t locking up 7 year old’s. Our challenge that is plaguing our culture is the absence of spiritual leadership from the father within the home. Cultural opinion, thoughts, trends, movements and even man will come and go. But only one truth and hope will endure forever! Hold to and stand on the only One who matters.

Only a changed heart can be used to change a heart; it must start with an example of the truth… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Heb 1:3 “Who (Jesus) being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

The word (express image) is the Greek word (χαρακτήρ - charakter) from which we derive our word “character.” The Greek defines it as a tool used for engraving, stamping, or impressing and literally means “to cut into.” CHRIST is the express image (imprint, photocopy) and representation of the essence and nature of God in flesh (Jn 14:7 “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”) The point being: does our character express the image of Christ? Do others see our life and testimony as a tool that is engraved with the image of Jesus, does our character show to be “cut into” with the image of Jesus. Within that question lies another as important, what type of mark are we leaving with others? When another reflects on your presence, are they left with a mark that reflects upon Jesus or self?  These are poignant questions we need to answer if we desire a character that promotes the praise and glory of Jesus Christ. the true expression of Christian character is not in good-doing but in Christ-likeness!

If we fail to let Christ define our character others will define our character for us … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Joe 2:17 “…  Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?”

There is to be special concern of God’s glory in our troubles – “Lord give not thine heritage to reproach.”, meaning the glory of God must not become absent in our struggles, and no longer celebrated. This only lends fodder to the world’s attack to create doubt amongst others by labeling the believer as “poor and beggarly” claiming, “where is their God?” (Deut 32:37). With today’s confusion, doubt, and attacks at a feverish peak we must be a voice of victory to God’s glory, not another voice of violence. Let the Lord do our fighting (Exo 14:14) we need to only follow and live with a testimony that glorifies His goodness; (Psa 115:3) “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”  If the world sees our life as an illustration to question God’s glory, it should cause us to question our faith!

The glory of God should glow in our life in such a way that it confounds the world (1 Cor 1:27) … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Joel 2: 13 “And rend your heart, and not your garments…”

Don’t gamble with God concerning your time and your heart, both are too valuable. Procrastination and Justification can have painful results both spiritually and physically. That’s the power and promise offered in repentance; the Father does not hesitate in His restoration of our spirit. Don’t deceive oneself with religious acts of the heart, deep remorse was often shown by tearing one’s clothes. The Father does not call us to outward displays of penitence without true inward repentance (1 Sa 16:7). Even Assyria was willing and able to respond to Jonah’s warning and got their heart right. Make sure your attitude towards the Father is correct, and not just your appearance. Remember, man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

Failure isn’t final, but lack of repentance keeps the wound from healing… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Psa 130:5 “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. (6) My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.”

This possibly being a Psalm of David (after repenting for his adultery/murder) is expressed with such climax that it’s recorded as a song of degree, expressed with an assurance of relief and comfort, believing it will come, and longing till it does. Stating, “my soul does wait” in sincerity and not profession only. David is placing his faith in two areas, God’s grace, and God’s power. And both are placed on God’s Word, which is his/our hope, only hope! David illustrates his assurance of God’s grace and power as one waiting patiently for the sun to rise in the morning. Subconsciously, we never question the dawn of a new morning, yet we are prone to question the One who raises? That’s not a logical thought process, but still often presents itself as problematic to the believer. O Lord, help us to find such great assurance, as the psalmist, in Your grace and promises, looking each and every morning before the break of day with anticipation of its promised arrival by Your mighty right hand!

Faith stands and falls on the truth that our hope in God is more assuring than the one promised by this world… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Jn 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

Compliments and flatteries do not define Christian love; but the sincere expressions of sacred affection, and the services or labors of love do.  Consider (vs 17) “… how dwelleth the love of God in Him?” That must be answered. Love to the brethren is love to God; and where there is none of this love to them there is no true love to God. Flatteries are fleeting, yet when we help another to pick-up their cross and carry it such love is contagious and compelling of the truth and love of Jesus Himself. This love to the brethren is love to God in them; and where there is none of this love to them there is no true love to God at all. This truth is taught in (Jam 2:14-17) and brings into question, how clearly do our actions say we love others? Faith is not faith without action; true faith is obedience in action, not simply a spoken belief. Otherwise people would just hear about Jesus, and not necessarily see Jesus.

Proclaiming Christ and living like Christ are two vastly different stances. The Grand Canyon sounds beautiful, but once one sees it, words do not compare… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Psa 11:4 “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.”

David was forced to flee for safety several times. Being God's anointed king didn’t make him immune to injustice and hatred from others. David was faced with a decision to fight in his faith or flee in his fear with both Saul and Absalom his son. In both instances, David fled, but not as if all was lost. He knew God was in control. While David wisely avoided trouble, he did not fearfully run away from his troubles. Here David’s speaking to those who are advising him to run from his enemies, but his faith contrasts dramatically with the fear of the advisers who tell him to flee. It’s our faith in God’s love that keeps us from losing hope and helps us resist fear. While David’s advisers saw frightening situations, David was comforted and faithful because he knew God was greater than his enemies plot against him (Psa 7:10). Our greatest opponent is ourselves and the battle between Faith vs Fear when facing life’s enemies.

God’s perfect love cast out fear (1 Jn 4:18), don’t let your lack of faith search after it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jud 1:24 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”

In reading scripture pertaining to God’s deliverance and protection I’m quick to think of a child standing on the counters edge who, without fear, is willing to jump from any height with the assurance that their father will not let them fall. Jude’s letter opens and closes with our assurance that our Heavenly Father will not let us fall. We must make great effort not to wonder from our humility and thankfulness in the Lord that promises to deliver us into His glory and will keep us from falling as prey. Too often a believer moves from their humility and become weak concerning their thankfulness for their salvation. There is only one person who can present us as faultless before the Father, and that is Jesus Christ and we must keep that ever present in our heart and mind. Life will stretch our faith and it often appears that our life is falling apart in the process. In such times be willing to jump from your counter into the promises of God and He will catch you. Doing so you will find your humility and thankfulness that the Lord is there to catch you! Humility and thankfulness keep our eyes on Jesus as the world around us falls apart.

“Find a Bible that’s falling apart and you’ll likely find a life that isn’t” … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

2 Cor 12:10 “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecution and distress for Christ’s sake…”

In Ch. 12 Paul recounts his experience with Heaven and is able to encourage us, that even among the infirmities in life there is a pleasure to be revealed in our faith. Three reason why Christians should take pleasure in adversity.

1.      No heartache – No heaven (vss 1-5). Paul reminds us that our past and present distresses serve to remind us this is not our promise and to focus on our future destination. Don’t hold to the hurt, your help is in heaven.

2.      No hurting-No humility (vs 6-7). Moses said in Deut 8:2-3 “thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee and prove thee…” No humility no access to God, if we can find humility in our adversity it leads to the presence of God, and with it His strength.

3.      No pain-No power (vs 8-10). Moses said in Deut 8:16-18 “Who fed thee in the wilderness with mana, … And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth the power to get wealth.” In God’s eternal world things get done by the Spirit or they do not get done at all. If you want to accomplish things in the flesh, you will get fleshly results, not Godly results!

No grief – no glory… Acts 14:22 “…we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”  God reminds us every day through nature that nothing temporal lasts. He clothes the trees with leaves, only to strip them off within a few months, and ever sunrise must have a sunset.

We can never have a new thing without the parting of the old… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Isa 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

When man sees no distinction between good and evil, destruction soon follows, it is moral absolute verses moral relativism. Man cannot individually define right and wrong for self without absolute truth. Doing so creates a relative definition of truth for their self-desired belief and wants. A challenging issue in our society today is the fact that we have allowed the issue of morality to be directed towards the believer “labeled Christian” rather than Christ! Christian and non-alike can be racist, sexist, or morally blind and sinful in many areas… but Christ is not, there is nothing morally relative in Christ just absolute truth, love, and hope. Paul, while noting the moral depravity of man and culture points out in (Rom 1:24-31), that the wicked live immorally while at the same time knowing the righteous judgment of God. Our society is prone to test what is verbally claimed as truth by believers by the way we behave and live our lives. Thus the onus of truth is on the believer as an example/testimony to it, Christ defined it in (Jn 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”)  As a believer we should stand on moral absolute truth, as a disciple of Christ we must live it as well. Doing so will bring great clarity in the truth which is Christ Jesus!

Moral relativism is not an issue of not knowing right from wrong, but the issue of doing wrong despite knowing better while blaming others… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Tit 1:4 “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.”

If God is a God of order, and He is (1 Cor 14:33), then notice the progression: grace, mercy, then peace (II Jn 3). In order to find the peace of God, one must first discover the grace and mercy of God (Gen 6:8). The grace in which Noah found in God (Gen 6:8) is the very first time the word “grace” appears in the Bible. Grace describes God’s attitude toward the sinner. Whereas mercy is defined as not receiving what we do deserve, grace is defined as receiving what we don’t deserve which is deliverance! Noah deserved to die in the flood as well, he was a sinner. However, he found the grace of God for his life by giving God the “last say” in his life (Gen 6:13-22) and was delivered. And with God’s grace came God’s mercy and Noah was delivered through the flood, which provided Noah’s peace once he was inside the ark (a picture of God and His salvation). Therefore, realizing what we are and don’t deserve and acknowledging what we got though we didn’t deserve it… then you’ll find your Peace in the greatest gift and promise of all, Jesus!  

God’s peace isn’t the calm after the storm. It’s the steadfastness during it… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

Mat 27:52 “The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” 

Sadly, the Jews were always in need of a sign, the promise of God and His Word was insufficient for their doubts (Ex 3:13-14). Here in Mt 27 we see another sign/miracle for the Jews. When Christ died on the cross the bodies of the dead saints (known to those in Jerusalem) were raised to life to testify concerning Christ as Lord and Saviour. Whatever the day looks like from our perspective, whatever season of happiness or sorrow we are in today, rejoice in His promises. Remember, the promise of Christ (Gen 3:15; Heb 11:13) proceeded His presence on the cross. It’s the power of perspective, if we change the way we look at things with the eternal perspective of God’s promise, the things you look at change. In (vs 54) we’re told that once the centurion soldier saw those things that were done, feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.”! Point being: while as believers we may not deny Christ is who He says He is, we must make sure we don’t find ourselves uttering the same verb of regret because we had the wrong perspective in the power of His promises for our life. An eternal perspective allows the power of God’s promises to work through our faith.

When we are designed to be tall, we will endanger our position if we lower our perspective…HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Mat 21:2 “saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.”

The story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem tells us how he sent two of his disciples to a village and instructed them to bring Him a donkey for Him to enter Jerusalem on. But why did Jesus choose the lowly donkey instead of getting a magnificent horse to ride on?

1.) Humility - fulfilled the prophecy in (Zech 9:9), making his entry while riding a lowly animal.  2.) Servant, though a King, riding the donkey showed He came to serve not to be served.

3.) Peace - ancient world, a leader rode on a horse signifying war and a donkey to signify peace.

While we all love to make an entrance, I can’t think of a better way than how Jesus made his! Does your arrival bring with it the image of Humility, Servitude and Peace?

“If Jesus rode low on a donkey, maybe we should get off our high-horse” … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Ki 19:9 “There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

What’s keeping you awake at night? The worries that keep us awake at night can point to the core of who we are. In (1 Kg) Elijah had found himself awake in a cave with his worries. Such moments can create great isolation, loneliness as if you’re all by yourself, and Elijah felt just that (vs 22).  There are times in life were the only thing on your side is truth (God’s Word), and that’s all it takes. Oneness is powerful if the one you have is God. This is of the greatest importance, not just declaring the words but believing in the assurance that God is all you need. Elijah was blessed because he came to the realization and acceptance that God would deliver him and that he was never alone. When he was physically alone, with God, Elijah was blessed the most (1 Kg 19:5; 12-13).  But by that same token the Lord is telling us today that we are not alone. We don’t need His presence, that’s what Elijah fell victim to, when we have His promise. The assurance of God’s presence is in the power of His promise that He will never leave us not forsake us (1 Kg 8:57). Back to the verse: Are you where God wants you to be or are you hiding in your cave?

Loneliness is not a lack of company, it’s the lack of assurance in God’s promises… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Gal 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” 

I believe we’re all familiar with the process of pulling that little forked “tab/ticket” with that dreaded number on it and staring impatiently at the digital display waiting for our opportunity. Those who are familiar with the movie “Beetlejuice” and the closing scene and him holding his ticket can empathize with him (lol). Everyone waits in life be it for spouses, arrival of a baby, children etc. We can also find ourselves waiting for clarity, direction, healing, hope or a miracle. Yes, we wait on God in our temporal realm! And when we misunderstand what waiting is about, we can get more confused, frustrated and anxious. Patience is one of God’s greatest tools in our spiritual growth. Meaning our patience in God will greatly determine His purpose in and with us!  Our required patience is the time in which God is preparing our hearts for the things we cannot experience once we’ve opened that moment of our life. God knows that, we don’t always grasp it and thus grow impatient in the process. It can be like the song “Even If” by Mercy Me, which says “stood on this stage night after night reminding the broken it’ll be alright” when we ourselves are not confident that it will be!  But just wait, because everyone takes their turn in the waiting room. It’s a long and painful fact of life, but shortcuts and impatience often just lend to spiritual injury. Instead be Patient, Content and in Hope knowing that your patience is preparation for what will be a powerful outcome. Otherwise when our opportunity in the Lord comes, we will be spending our time on the bench healing rather than participating.

Just You Wait, if God’s asking you to wait then be prepared to receive more than you asked for… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Psa 85:10 “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

The psalmist recounts the favors God has brought forth to Israel when they placed themselves in God’s righteousness and truth. In (vss 9-10) it describes what God has promised for those who welcome His herald – righteousness. Meaning the greater we seek God’s righteousness and His kingdom, as Jesus stated (Mt 6:33), the more we will see everything work out for good in God. But we must be cautious not to return to folly (vs 8), and make sure we’re dwelling in the shelter and the shadow of the Almighty who is our fortress (Psa 91:1). Today’s circumstances bring clarity to this, we are not in control and man dies. The greatest response to such truth is by placing ourselves in the presence of Him who is and determines all!

One cannot be in the presence of God and powerless. You may still have problems, but you now have the power and promise to prevail… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Phl 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Imagine never worrying about anything! With our current situation it seems to be an impossibility; we have jobs, finances, family that are compounding effects. Paul directs us to turn our worries into worship through prayer. If we want to worry less, then pray more. The peace we long for and search after cannot be found or obtained among ourselves. Not positive thinking, absence of conflict or in just feeling good. The sustaining peace we need in such trials is only found in Christ Jesus and knowing that God is in control. If one is confident in the sovereignty of God, then their peace comes from relying on Him who controls every situation.Anxiety is the lack of assurance in the promises of God, and that He is in control. Need more peace, practice more prayer!

Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its trials, but only empties today of its strength… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Pro 29:25 “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” 

Fear, doubt and discouragement is often rooted in a wrong focus. 1 Jn 4:18 tells us, “Perfect love casteth out fear. He who fears has not been made perfect in love.” This does not apply to our love, but God’s love for us (Rom 8:38-39).  Meaning, nothing can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ. Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Jesus. His death for us is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can separate us from Christ's presence. But remember we were given His Word (promise), before His presence!  Don’t fear what you can’t see in the unknown because God can, and He’s already promised us provision and protection. Our faith calls us to focus on the promise not the problem, doing so fear will fade.

A promise is only as powerful as the One who gave it, so fear not! … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Ch 12:38; 40b “All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. (40b) for there was joy in Israel.”

Israel had suffered under Saul’s leadership because of his disobedience to God (1 Chron 10:13). Disobedience brings with it discord, distrust and disinterest in what is right and is void of joy. In response over (200,000) mighty men of valor, even some of the kindred of Saul came over to David. It is said that they engaged in this enterprise with a perfect heart, no one had any separate interests, but all for the righteousness of God. And it brought joy in Israel (1 Chron 12:40).  And good reason; for when the righteousness of God bears rule, a body rejoices. Thus, when the throne of Christ is set up in a soul, there is, or ought to be, great joy in that soul for the promise of eternal righteousness!

Righteousness is not a product of human endeavor; it is a provision of God’s grace…HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Chron 11:9 “And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him.”

David's power increased as a direct result of his consistent trust in God. In contrast, Saul's power decreased because he wanted all the credit for himself and ignored God (1 Sam 15:17-26). Those who are concerned about building a name for themselves risk losing the very recognition they crave. Like David, we should be concerned for righteousness, honesty, and excellence and leave the results to God. True greatness is defined not by what one has but by what one possesses in God, not the significance of self. God made man small and the universe big to illustrate Himself.

Greatness is not illustrated by the number of servants one has, but by the number of people he’s able to serve… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

1Ch 10:13 “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” 

Saul's unfaithfulness was both active and passive; he not only did wrong, but he also failed to do right. He actively disobeyed by ignoring God's instructions, and seeking guidance from a medium. He passively disobeyed by neglecting to ask God for guidance as he ran the kingdom. Obedience, too, is both passive and active. It is not enough just to avoid what is wrong; we need to actively pursue what is right. In (1 Sam 28), Saul asked the Lord for guidance but received no answer; this account implies that he did not ask God for help. The answer to this apparent contradiction lies in understanding Saul's motives and the timing of his request to God. His frantic requests came only when he had tried everything his own way. He never went to God unless there was nowhere else to turn. When he finally asked, God refused to answer. Saul sought God only when it suited him, and God rejected him for his constant stubbornness and rebellion.

Don’t wait to need God until you need God… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jdg 11:30 “And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand,”

Jephthah's rash vow brought him unspeakable grief. In the heat of emotion or personal turmoil it’s easy to make foolish promises to God. Though exiled at one time Jephthah was now promised by the same men that he could be their leader if he defeated the Ammonites. This prompted Jephthah to make a vow to God.  Such promises may sound/feel spiritual when we make them, but they may produce only guilt and frustration when we are forced to fulfill them. Making spiritual "deals" only brings disappointment. God does not want promises for the future, but obedience for today. We must be cautious as not to vow/promise in order to get, but rather be content in what we have in the Lord and His will. Don’t serve to receive, but instead serve for what you have already received in Christ Jesus and your salvation. Let the good God has for you be delivered in His perfect timing, purpose and will in your life. In the meantime, just serve in thankfulness and gratefulness for what you do have. Contentment is beautifully illustrated by a bird sitting on a bare branch and still chirps its song.

Contentment is not by addition but by subtraction; seeking to add will not bring contentment. Instead, subtraction from your desires until you’re satisfied only with Christ brings contentment… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Php 1:10 “That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;” 

Paul’s prayer was for the Philippian believers to have the ability to illustrate what was excellent and sincere, and to differentiate between good and bad, vital and trivial until Christ return.  This word (sincere) is the Greek word (eilikrineis) and means “tested by the sunlight” and emphasizes our relationship with God and is used to denote moral and ethical purity. Rod Mattoon in Treasures from Philippians notes: Ancient dealers of porcelain filled the cracks of damaged porcelain or pottery with wax. An honest dealer would describe a perfect piece with the words “sin cera” which means “without wax.” If the customer doubted the dealer’s integrity, he would sun-test the pottery by holding it up to the sun to reveal any cracks in the pot. Thus, this word “sincere” suggests a pure or tested character, genuine, without hypocrisy or falsehood.” So, to be an insincere believer was to be a “crackpot;” someone who would use “wax-laden” excuses for why they didn’t do what they were supposed to do and/or properly fix what they were supposed to fix (Mt 25:24-25; Lk 19:22). Unhappily, none of our excuses will excuse us on that DAY (II Cor 5:10-11), and our cracks will be seen through.

Have a sincere faith, otherwise one’s actions are anecdotal and crackpot in appearance… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

Heb 12:17b “… for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”

This short passage, in full context, reflects upon Esau’s inability to endure in his suffering. Thus, he was willing to sale his birthright without fore thought to his pain being but a moment of discomfort, which only led to sorrow in his spirit later. According to the Bible, there are two kinds of sorrow (though he sought it carefully with tears): (1) worldly; and (2) Godly. Of the two, only Godly sorrow leads to true repentance (2 Cor 7:8-9,10). Repentance may include “remorse” (made you sorry – vs 8), but remorse is not repentance. Judas may have been remorseful over what he had done to Jesus, but he did not “change his mind”; he only regretted what he had done to an innocent man; in Esau’s case himself. Hell is full of sorrow, but only for the consequences of sin. The rich man who died and went to Hell uttered not a word of sorrow for his actions, only sorrow for his pain (Lk 16:19-31). You can weep over sin and even express great sorrow, but until you “change your mind” and agree with God there’s no repentance. Esau's story shows us that mistakes and sins sometimes have lasting consequences (Gen 25:29-34; 27:36). Even repentance and forgiveness do not always eliminate sin's consequences. But sorrow that leads to true repentance repairs the soul and strengthens our Spirit for tomorrow.

People on earth hate to hear the word repentance, those in hell wish they could hear it one more time… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Psa 94:12-13 "Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble..."

Some of the most peaceful sleep can be had while rainstorms are raging. With the same peace we can sleep amidst life’s adversities storming around us. Such peacefulness comes for those who are trained in the Lord’s way (Heb 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”). Discipleship, becoming Christ like, is a spiritual growth that cannot be achieved without our devotion and God’s discipline. When you feel God's hand of correction, accept it as proof of his great love, realizing the same God that corrects you also controls the storm Otherwise, correction is only seen as judgement to those who still love to live in their sin.  

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor can a man be perfected without discipline… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Isa 31:3 “Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses’ flesh, and not Spirit…”

When Israel found themselves under attack by the Assyrians (ch. 30) they turned to Egypt, a picture of the world/man, for help rather than the faithfulness and strength of God. Isaiah makes a profound statement of clarity in stating “are men, not God.” It’s good for men to “know themselves to be but men” (Psa 9:20). What results can man orchestrate in comparison to God? Isaiah states, like a lion roaring over his prey, though a multitude of shepherds are called against him he will not be afraid or depress himself in the matter. Despite the Egyptians power of horses and chariots, they’re flesh and not Spirit, and therefore, as strong as they are, they become wearied with a long march or battle. We must find our strength and faith in the Spirit of God, and not the Flesh of men; (Deut 3:22 “You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.”)  God’s power and faithfulness are without limitations, man’s flesh can only offer the best of intentions with great limits. The flesh has fault, the Spirit has strength.

As man, if we apply the faith God will provide the fight… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Zep 1:12 “At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.”

Much of the church today is tied to an ignorance and apathy about justification, thinking that being a better person is all God requires. True, we should be a better person than we were yesterday, but not by our own standards. Apathy is an attitude that is indifferent/careless to the change that God calls us to (Phl 2:5 let this mind be in you which is in Christ Jesus). Be it a negative attitude, worry, guilt, fear, loneliness, bitterness, pride and apathy itself, we’re called to act in the Lord to change our hearts towards such! Apathy is the anesthesia to the Christian life that numbs the spirit, blocks the pain that is there to motivate a change in our heart and spirit. In (Rev 3) the church of Sardis, picture of the last days church, was warned of their apathy, (vs 1 “I know your works. You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of God.”)

The worst chains are those which are not felt, seen nor acknowledge by the prisoner… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Co 2:12 “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”

To have received or be granted something that offers the greatest value and resource for any matter in life and yet fail to use it for your betterment and improvement would be foolish. When we decide to handle life matters with self-guidance or the wisdom of the world (vs 6), we leave no room for God to be God either in us or through us. The greatest value and worth we have and possess is the Spirit of God within us. And it’s the Spirit that gives to us freely and abundantly (Jm 1:5) the resources and wealth for our good and betterment by way of His wisdom. Both wisdom and wealth are weakened in its limitations when provided through man and the world.

Self-wisdom or the reliance upon worldly resources is like looking through rose-colored glasses prescribed by satan… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Cor 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

When deciding between living according to worldly wisdom or the wisdom of God, just know that His wisdom and design for you is higher, grater, and more wonderful than anything you’ve seen, heard or imagined for yourself. But, in context of the passage, it is not referring to the subject of Heaven/eternity, but to the revelation of God’s Word. Thus, “things” here refer to “spiritual truths.” The Word of God contains within its pages “spiritual truths” that are so deep, so profound, so precise, and so eternal that man has not even begun to scratch the surface of what lies beneath, and is only revealed to those whose love and desire for it drives them to desperately seek after it.

If you don’t feel strong desires for the revealing of the glory of God, it’s not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. If so the case, your thirst would only be greater… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

Psa 34:3 “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

This statement appears to be a contradiction. To “magnify” is to enlarge. How can anyone enlarge the Jesus? He is the Creator of heaven and earth (Heb 1:2,10).  His natural magnitude is such that He fills the universe and there is nothing that man can do to enhance His nature or increase His stature. In the pursuit of scientific knowledge, scientists use microscopes to enhance observation. We seldom stop to think, however, that by magnifying something we have not changed its size one iota, the object under observation remains its original self. Point being, magnifying does not affect what is being observed; it affects only the observer, giving him a wider, broader and deeper vision of the object, he is magnifying. So it is with Christ, we certainly cannot enlarge Him (1 Kg 8:27). But we can enlarge our vision of Him when we magnify our worship and see our humility in His greatness.

Magnify God rather than your problems and you’ll see things with a right perspective… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Cor 1:13a “Is Christ divided?”

Paul provides a rhetorical question that’s applicable for us today. Consider that churches are launched almost weekly with a supposed newer or better format for worship, favoritism of preachers, music, style. Such a mindset was indicative of the church in Corinth who was divided in Christ by focusing on preference rather than purpose. (Phl 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus.”)  Don’t fall to the persuasion of preference over purpose (Mt 22:25). We unite in Christ when we fulfill the true purpose of the church: (Jas 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”)  A united body/church is not flashy it’s faithful in its servitude to the Lord’s purpose, not their preference.

When we let preference weigh in our purpose, we confuse the sacred with the secular… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Cor 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The confirmation of our blamelessness (vs 8), is founded upon God’s faithfulness (vs 9).  He who had begun a good work in us, and carried it on thus far, would not leave it unfinished. Not upon the principle of strict justice, but gracious absolution; not in rigorous law, but from rich and free grace. How glorious is our hope in such a privilege, that His power subdues our corruption, and allows us fellowship in Jesus; He who has called us is faithful and will do it (1 Th 5:24). Our ability to grasp the magnitude of our sin, multiplies our ability to grasp the grace and faithfulness of His love through Jesus.

Fellowship with the Father and the Son is most vivid and sweet; and Christian joy is greatest, by way of it, even when the cross is heaviest… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Psa 136:1 “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” 

What greater Psalm or verse(s) illustrate God’s enduring love for us. The Psalm’s composition repeats itself (26) times in the latter half of every verse in reference to God’s eternal love and promise to us that, “his mercy endureth forever.” Mercy, defined as not getting what one deserves, is only applicable and sustained by God’s greatest of love for us. There’s no weightier matter, or more worthy to be repeated, than “God’s mercy endureth forever.”  Repeated with a crescendo to His children for our acknowledgment that every favor offered and promised gifted comes by way of His great mercy.  We are never so earnestly called upon to pray and repent as we are to give thanks; (Heb 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”)

Mercy is like the rainbow; it never shines after it is night. If we refuse to praise His mercy, we shall only have justice… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Psalm 101… Perfect Heart

In Psa 101:2, we see David seeking God for a “perfect heart” in two areas, his Behavior and his Walk. Yet, David uses two different words for perfect in the Hebrew, (taw-meem’) meaning “truth” in his behavior, and (tome’) meaning innocence in his walk.   

David’s prayer in (vs 2a) “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way” meaning to act in the truth of God’s Word. (3 Jn 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”). David goes on in (vs 2b) “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Meaning to walk in innocence, not only upon the public throne, but also in the privacy of his house/life. (Pro 10:9 “He that walks uprightly, walks surely…”); uprightly is the same H/word (tome’) for perfect in (vs 2b).

One can speak with spiritual eloquence and maintain a holy appearance… but it is our behavior and our walk that will reveal our true character… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Th 1:6 “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost (7) So that ye were examples to all that believe”

In Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica he applauded the zeal they fostered for Christ and their example to all about them. Christianity cannot be contagious without zeal. A man knowing anything about intimacy with Christ cannot stop speaking of it. (Rom 12:11 “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord).  Paul described their zeal as being an example by using the Greek word (tupoi) – meaning (to stamp, instrument to make a mark with). Christ did not come to impress us, but He was the instrument that made the impact for our eternal good.

Don’t look to make an impression, it will fade. Instead make an impact with Christ, it’s permanent… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

Psa 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Such a transformation requires giving-up the struggle and the fight; relax in the omnipotence of the Lord Jesus; look up into His lovely face and as you behold Him, He will transform you into His likeness. We do the beholding-He does the transforming. There is no short cut to His holiness.

The renewing of the mind and heart is a little like refinishing furniture. It involves taking off the old and replacing it with the new. The old is the lies the flesh and the devil perpetrate, and we believe; it’s the attitudes and ideas that invade our thoughts and become reality. The new is the truth! The promise of the Word of God that renews our thoughts and attitude in Christ-likeness and allows God to bring to light and expose the lies that we have mistakenly accepted and replace them with the truth. To the degree we do this, our behavior, worth and love will be transformed into Christ image.   

The same Jesus who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life and your tomorrow. He is still in the miracle-business, and His business is the business of transformation… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Gen 17:1 “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”

The Lord put before Abram a charge to walk before Him in perfectness (meaning completeness). In conjunction God promised five blessings towards Abram, stating “I will…”  But for clarity God is saying I have, meaning God’s will and promises are always complete and bring victory. The issue for us is this, are we willing to be the one who walks into them? Man will never thwart God’s perfect will, he can only thwart God’s will and victory working through them. God will, with or without us. Victory is found by those whose valor leads them to walk in the Lord’s will. The promise always lies a step ahead of us. No matter what we face we win in the Lord’s will. There are only two results by way of God’s promises, either we will live, or we will live, can’t lose!

Because God doesn’t answer our prayer our way, doesn’t mean He hasn’t answered our prayer anyway…HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Eph 4:16 “from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

God never intended for any of us to live the Christian life alone. At the mere mention of the word community though, people often eye you as if you’re an intruder in their life. To avoid thinking about community simply because we misunderstand it will deprive us of one of God’s greatest gifts. The idea of community is, in a sense, from another world, a world very unlike our own. Community is from the world as God wants it to be. It is the gift of a rich and challenging life together, one that we need and can receive with joy.

Christian community is the sharing a common life in Christ. It moves us beyond the self-interested isolation of private lives and beyond the superficial social contacts that pass for "Christian fellowship." The biblical ideal of community challenges us instead to commit ourselves to life together as children of God.

We know all too well that maturity takes time. We know less well that it also takes our sisters and brothers in Christ. It’s a process that is revealed in the "each other" language of the New Testament: Love one another, forgive each other, regard each other more highly than yourselves (Phl 2:3).  Teach and correct each other, encourage each other, pray for each other, and bear each other’s burdens (Gal 6:2). Be friends with one another, kind, compassionate, and generous in hospitality. Serve one another and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph 5:21). This list just scratches the surface, but it is enough to remind us that we need the community of faith to grow up in Christ.

Christian community is the place of our continuing sanctification. Its goal is that, individually and together, we should mature (Gen 17:1), able to stand tall and straight with and among each other, embodying the very "fullness of Christ" as ambassadors to and for each other.

Sadly, to the world, Christian appear most skilled at shooting their own.

A Christians relationship with each other is the criteria the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful – Christian community is the final apologetic (defense) of God’s love… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Jn 1:5 “… God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Jesus declares in (Jn 9:5) He is the light which is truth and manifest righteousness (Jn 3:21). Yet, (Jn 3:19) declares that man, by his fallen nature, are drawn to and love darkness. Light is reveling while darkness is suppressive, meaning one uncovers while the other covers-up. This is a truth or lie scenario, we cannot declare one and walk in the other (vs 6). Darkness cannot have fellowship with light! One path is unobstructed while the other causes us to stumble (Jn 11:10). Desiring truth requires one to walk in the light of it, in doing so others will be able to see the truth more clearly as well.

Walk in light, you never know who’s following you? Be confident someone is… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jn 1:46 “And Nathanael said unto him, can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

Nathan was in considerable doubt of Philips claim, not that he had found the Messiah, but rather how anything good could forth out of Nazareth. Living four miles from Nazareth in Cana, Nathan was aware of their lack of morals, aloof attitude toward religion and overall reputation. If Nathan would’ve held to his prejudice and ignorant thoughts towards grace, he would’ve missed the Saviour. Don’t doubt the power of grace and the good it affords ourselves and others. It’s not about where one’s been but where their heading. One who looks to the past finds dreams of doubt; he who looks toward tomorrow awakes to the assurance that God’s goodness promises us hope in any occasion.  

Pay attention to your Creator and not your critic’s, one offers hope the other hurt… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

Joh 1:38a “Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye...”

If you find what you’re looking for then you don’t have to look any longer. Notice that Jesus asked Andrew “what seek ye?”  That question, while the simplest, is deeply profound! In Andrew’s first encounter he was challenged in deciding if he was looking for the answer or an answer? For Andrew he found the answer and was quick to tell his brother Peter as well (vs 41). Answering such a question, “Why follow me?” in our own life is just as profound in determining our relationship with Jesus. Is Jesus an option for our life challenges or the answer? If we turn away from His will when life gets difficult, Jesus is just an option and not your final answer!

Following Jesus because it feels good will lead to one falling away when life feels bad… HSAY